OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank Opens New Milk Drop Location at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital

OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank Opens New Milk Drop Location at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital

Key takeaways:
• OhioHealth is strengthening support for mothers and newborns by bringing a new milk drop site to OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital.
• The new location makes donating human milk easier and more accessible for families in central Ohio.
• Every ounce of donated milk provides vital nutrients and immune protection for premature, ill, and medically fragile infants.
• In 2025, the Milk Bank distributed 500,670 ounces (3,911 gallons) of milk in 11 states and 79 hospitals.

The OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank celebrated the grand opening of a new milk drop location at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital medical office building. The new milk drop site, located at 7450 Hospital Drive (Suite 270), OH 43016, will house a freezer to store donated human milk, which will then be transferred to the milk bank in Whitehall at no cost to the donor.

"This new milk drop location reflects our commitment to caring for families when they need us most, especially when extra support can make all the difference." Cherie Smith, PhD, MBA, RN, president of OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital said. "At OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, we are proud to help expand access for mothers who want to donate and for babies who depend on donor milk for a healthy start. This effort shows what is possible when compassionate care and community partnership come together."

The OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank, under the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), provides pasteurized human milk to those infants whose mothers are unable to provide milk to nourish their babies. It is one of just 33 milk banks in North America - 30 in the United States and three in Canada.

"Every ounce of donated milk provides vital nutrients and immune protection for premature, ill, and medically fragile infants," Denise Chears, OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank clinical nurse, said. "At the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank, we see every day how these donations help care for our smallest and most vulnerable babies, and that makes this work deeply personal for all of us."

In 2025, the Milk Bank distributed 500,670 ounces (3,911 gallons) of milk in 11 states and 79 hospitals. Just one ounce can feed a premature infant for three days, so every little bit helps.

"The opening of this OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank Depot at Dublin Methodist Hospital represents an important step forward in expanding access to lifesaving donor human milk for the families we serve," Jessica Tucker, DO, said. "By placing a donation site within our fourth trimester, lactation medicine, and outpatient lactation consulting suite in the hospital, we are creating a seamless connection between maternal and infant care, lactation support, and community generosity."

The Dublin Methodist site marks the 38^th OhioHealth milk drop location in Ohio. The donated milk is distributed throughout North America to babies in need.

"What makes this especially meaningful is the opportunity for OhioHealth patients, friends, and associates to donate milk that will directly support OhioHealth babies and families in need," Dr. Tucker said.

"It is an honor for OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital (Dublin Methodist) to host a donor milk drop site and support families in such a meaningful way," Sherrie Valentine, OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital director of women's health, said. "Bringing this dedicated space into our facility expands our maternal health capabilities and gives parents a seamless, accessible resource close to home."

The milk bank, which is located in the OhioHealth Eastside Health Center in Columbus, relies on donations from healthy, lactating women who generously provide milk to help other babies. Interested donors are encouraged to email [email protected] or call (614) 566.0630 to arrange a screening phone interview. To become a human milk donor, mothers must take part in a screening process to ensure the quality and safety of the milk. This process includes a phone screening to verify eligibility, completion of a medical and lifestyle history review, a signed medical release from the donor and physician, and consent to receive a blood test to screen for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and syphilis. The donated milk is pasteurized, frozen, and distributed by physician's prescription.

"This partnership reflects the very best of who we are, caring for our own community and for one another during some of life's most vulnerable moments," Dr. Tucker said.

Benefits of Breast Milk
Infants benefit greatly from human milk, especially those who are premature, ill, or have life-threatening conditions. Human milk is the ultimate source of nutrients and immune protection for infants. Babies benefit from active growth hormones, developmental enzymes, and infection fighting and immunological factors found in human milk.
Research shows that human milk helps pre-term infants:

● Reach full feeds sooner and need fewer IVs
● Mature their intestines faster
● Spend fewer days in the hospital
● Reduce risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a potentially fatal bowel infection)
● Reduce risk of sepsis (blood infection) and other infections
● Be healthier as older children and adults

The donor application form can be found here.

For more information about the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank, including videos, click here.

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